New York, NY – We applaud today’s announcement by State Senators Jeffrey D. Klein, (D-Bronx/ Westchester), Diane Savino, (D-Staten Island/ Brooklyn), David J. Valesky, (D-Oneida) and David Carlucci, (D-Rockland) to not adhere to the broken model of partisan politics in Albany and form an Independent Democratic Conference.

New Roosevelt is supportive of efforts that seek to create a more functional state legislature and break from the partisan gridlock of the past.

As the Finance Chair for the Democratic State Senate Campaign Committee in 2008, I was one of many in the party who worked hard to regain control of the State Senate for the first time in nearly three decades, and expected that reforms would be passed.

That being said, the current Democratic leadership in Albany must face the fact that they had an opportunity to pass a reform agenda while controlling the State Senate, Assembly and the Governor’s mansion and almost nothing got done. In November voters responded accordingly.

Until Democrats and Republican in Albany demonstrate tangible results on reform issues neither party will gain the confidence of the voters.